Rio Tinto starts dismantling its inoperative Gove refinery in the Northern Territory of Australia

Mining giant Rio Tinto has reportedly started dismantling its inoperative Gove refinery in East Arnhem Land in the Northern Territory of Australia.  The refinery was mothballed in 2014, causing job loss to 1,000 workers.

Smokestacks of the refinery have been already scaffolded and stripped down, with work starting on sections posing hazards to both humans and the environment.  

"It's all about taking down parts of the refinery that are at high risk and would make it unsafe for our people to work in the refinery area," said Gove operations general manager Alysia Tringrove.

She also said that this would continue through 2020. But since plant removal is a slow process, it may not be finished until the eventual ceasing of mining, expected by 2030, according to Rio Tinto.

"We're still very much in the scoping stage. We're looking at about a 10-year process to fully dismantle it and fully rehabilitate the refinery," Ms Tringrove said.

The residue disposal ponds at the refinery will also be refurbished to ensure they are safe and non-polluting, said a Rio Tinto spokesman.

However, some of the region’s traditional owners have voiced the concern that dismantling and refurbishment processes would create a mess around the refinery, which may affect the flora and fauna of the region.

Some others have even shown concern of the nearby Nhulunbuy township with 3,000 populace. NT Government officials, however, said the town would be prepared for the inevitable post-mining eventuality.